2008 Woodie Awards
Guest Commentary: Post Sept. 11: Attack does not excuse U.S. violence
By: Keith Bryan
Issue date: 9/28/06 Section: Opinion/Editorial
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I was intrigued by the premise of Patrick Devine's commentary on the effect of media on the emotions of the American public in last week's Journal. However, I also take issue with various aspects of Devine's work. As I watched a video replay of the towers collapsing upon returning home from school Sept. 11, 2001, I was awestruck, initially too numb to feel any emotions. As I watched sheets of paper float slowly toward the ground, I began to feel a strong sense of dismay. My emotional response increased exponentially when I stood in my living room with several friends and family and watched as bodies began to fall through the air - at which point I could watch no longer and had to leave the room.
Devine briefly mentions "the unity felt after Sept. 11" - of which I was a part of, assuming he means a unified sense of grief and sympathy for the lives that were lost. A different sense of unity also began on Sept. 11, 2001 - a unified belief in violence, racism and intolerance the likes of which I had never previously encountered. As shocked and horrified as I was with the events of Sept. 11, as I talked with peers and watched the development of our nation's foreign policy, I felt alienated in my belief that we shouldn't invade Afghanistan, imprison Muslims or later, invade Iraq. Yet, Afghanistan was carpet bombed, Muslims face severe discrimination in this country and many have been wrongly imprisoned without charges, and to this day we are aiding in the destruction of Iraq.
Devine is right that we all share a visual fixation on shocking images. However, the shocking images I have witnessed in the past five years (the bombing of Afghanistan and Iraq, prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib, and many others) have not made "patriotic lemonade" for me.
I believe we should see the caskets of fallen U.S. troops as well, but for a different reason: as a reminder of the needless losses in an unjust fight. If anything, viewing the destruction of the World Trade Center over and over again for the past five years has distracted us from the insane policies that our government is pursuing. Each time I see the destruction of that day, it is difficult for me to suppress a deep emotional response.
Devine briefly mentions "the unity felt after Sept. 11" - of which I was a part of, assuming he means a unified sense of grief and sympathy for the lives that were lost. A different sense of unity also began on Sept. 11, 2001 - a unified belief in violence, racism and intolerance the likes of which I had never previously encountered. As shocked and horrified as I was with the events of Sept. 11, as I talked with peers and watched the development of our nation's foreign policy, I felt alienated in my belief that we shouldn't invade Afghanistan, imprison Muslims or later, invade Iraq. Yet, Afghanistan was carpet bombed, Muslims face severe discrimination in this country and many have been wrongly imprisoned without charges, and to this day we are aiding in the destruction of Iraq.
Devine is right that we all share a visual fixation on shocking images. However, the shocking images I have witnessed in the past five years (the bombing of Afghanistan and Iraq, prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib, and many others) have not made "patriotic lemonade" for me.
I believe we should see the caskets of fallen U.S. troops as well, but for a different reason: as a reminder of the needless losses in an unjust fight. If anything, viewing the destruction of the World Trade Center over and over again for the past five years has distracted us from the insane policies that our government is pursuing. Each time I see the destruction of that day, it is difficult for me to suppress a deep emotional response.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
R. Scism
posted 10/04/06 @ 2:09 PM CST
you, sir, are a total idiot
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